Fluttershy had always felt a connection to the butterflies. They had saved her, after all. When nopony was there to save her, the butterflies, so nice and gentle, had lifted their wings in a gesture that saved her life. They let her find nature, and animals, and her talent, and so many other things. And since the fateful day of the Pegasus Race, she had three beautiful butterflies etched onto her skin forever. She was bound to them, through respect and gratefulness. Through fate and kindness.
So she couldn't let them down now. She couldn't give up on her friends, or anypony, or any critters. She had to do this.
With a pang she looked back at her flank, faded to a blank yellow emptiness.
She would get them back. She would get them all back.